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  • Horizon: Zero Dawn: Review

    Horizon: Zero Dawn: Review

    Horizon: Zero Dawn is right up there amongst the best video games I’ve ever played. It is phenomenal. I remember seeing an E3 or such trailer a fair while ago now and since then eagerly anticipated it’s arrival. I couldn’t get it when it first came out in the UK but I’ve now had it a couple of weeks and I have loved every moment of it. Usuaully I stick to what I know with things like Final Fantasy. Assassins Creed was a step up for me and it took me a while to get it but I loved it. I am also hugely into the Lego video games which are great fun! Horizon: Zero Dawn is such an enjoyable, fun and exciting game, I’m really glad I got into it.

    PS4 Horizon Zero Dawn Video Game Review

    When it comes to video games my skills are pretty limited. I have been known to rage quit after losing too many times, dying too many times and complex controls baffle me. I was a little apprehensive of this game because I really wanted to play it but worried the controls would get the better of me. They didn’t. Thankfully. And I’ve really enjoyed playing through the gorgeous landscape of what used to be the USA.

    Horizon: Zero Dawn takes place many, many years in the future where the world is segregated and over run by machines. You play as Aloy, a young tribal woman that was outcasted at birth for reasons she is yet to discover. She is raised by another outcast, Rost, who is very much a father figure to her. Through the prologue you learn how to hunt, how to stealth avoid beasts and a little bit of the world that was. Throughout the game you go  through an unexpected and incredible journey through mountains, deserts and jungles.

    The gameplay is fairly simple and the tutorials make it easy to pick up and understand – I was thankful for this. Throughout the game you can develop character skills, modify weapons and outfits, learn to use the environment around you and create strong ammo for the tougher machines you will set out to kill. Through Aloy’s quest you find out more about the world that was and how it came to be how it is now.

    The graphics are simply stunning in Horizon and the amount of detail in the smallest things is incredible. Nothing has been left out and it’s so easy to see why the game has been so well received. The characters you meet along the way are intriguing and likeable. The enemies pose tough battles. The player has an amount of control over the responses Aloy gives which gives it an interactive feel. I have nothing negative to say about this game. It’s amazing and I am really loving it.

    It’s given me a bit more confidence in my gameplay abilities and the courage to try newer games that might be a little different. I’m currently enjoying tying up lose ends with some of the side quests and exploring more of Horizon’s world. If you enjoy open world adventure games with thrilling action based and stealth combat then I think you might just love this.

  • Fitting Your Child’s Needs Around Your Hectic Lifestyle

    Fitting Your Child’s Needs Around Your Hectic Lifestyle

    This is a collaborative post.

    Life is pretty intense when you’re a parent. You’re juggling a job, a household, a relationship, and trying to be a parent all at the same time. It’s not easy by anyone’s standards. While parents can keep everything more or less together, there’s always the chance that they’re overlooking a key part of their child’s development, purely through a lack of time and too much stuff going on. But there are ways to streamline the essential aspects of being a parent, building them around your hectic lifestyle.

    Source: Pexels.com

    Managing Playtime

    All children love to play, but when a parent gets home from work, they’re usually too tired to play with them. The key here is to essentially make your child do all the work. If you don’t have the energy to match theirs, simply lie on the floor next to them; they’ll provide all the energy necessary. They might just be climbing over you, but it’ll be fun to them. This of course only really works with small children – you don’t want a grown child jumping on top of you!

    Keeping Their Health in Check

    We think of children as naturally healthy because they’re always playing, but they still need to be educated about diet and lifestyle, and they also pick up a fair few bugs and illnesses just through the course of school life. If you’re always busy, you won’t have always have the time to take them to the doctor to get these illnesses taken care of. Instead, streamline the process by having an online GP at hand; they’ll get the medical advice they need, and you’ll have peace of mind without losing some of your precious time. You can also ensure they eat correctly by learning to cook a few simple, healthy meals. It doesn’t take as much time as you might think to prepare healthy meals for the family!

    Keeping Things Simple

    Your child has plenty of needs that come naturally; they don’t always need new ones invented more for them. While it’s a good idea for them to have extracurricular activities, if they’re learning to play the violin, learning Spanish, and joining a sports team then they’re probably doing too much. These things are usually enforced by the parent; instead, ask them to select one or two activities that they really enjoy. They’ll develop a stronger connection to that activity, and you won’t have to run them around to a host of different lessons multiple nights a week.

    Being a Relaxed Parent

    Your life is hectic; you do not need to be. Children learn a lot from the way their parents act, and if you’re constantly on edge, acting frantically, then your child might too. This will only make the problem worse if you’re trying to keep everything under control, but both you and your child are not relaxed. Instead, try to maintain a calm demeanor in life. You can’t always control one happens to you, but you can control how you react – and it’ll make life much more enjoyable.

  • Stylish Homewears – Coppi Bowl

    Stylish Homewears – Coppi Bowl

    Coppi Bowl from Banbayu

    I’ve recently got into crystal healing a bit. I’m still learning so I probably don’t actually know anything but I know I am trying to declutter and create a positive home space for us all. Living in a two bedroom flat we don’t really have much space, especially for storage, so everything looks a bit cluttered. I’ve been looking for something to hold my crystals and incense in while not in use and something that would fit in with my home. This Coppi Bowl is working really nicely.

    Coppi Bowl Homewares

    I like having nice furnishings and I especially like items that serve more than one purpose. I received this gorgeous Coppi bowl from Banbayu which is sitting quite nicely on my end table in my living room. I selected this bowl because I wanted something to hold my crystals in that I’m collecting at the moment and this looked stylish and large enough for them.

    I love it, it’s gorgeous, stylish and a really nice size. I can see this holding many uses in the home from keeping belongings, keys, fruit, decorative items…whatever you wish really. I think it’s always really useful to have something like the Coppi bowl in the home. Storage space is always needed and it’s even better if it looks good. The size of the bowl is great and what makes it so functional. It can easily be used for many different things and would suit any home and decor style.

    Coppi Bowl

    Banyubu feature sustainable, authentic and luxury homewears and jewellery on their site. They have a fantastic ethical policy and with every piece being handmade, you know you have something special. The Coppi bowl is exactly that for me. I really love it and I love that it’s from a place that cares about the people and cultures that make the products.

    Disclaimer: I received this Coppi bowl in exchange for this feature. All opinions made are my own.

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  • Introducing BookBeat: Audiobook Subscription & FREE Trial

    Introducing BookBeat: Audiobook Subscription & FREE Trial

    You know how I absolutely love a good story. Reading or listening to them, I will always crave something to really get into. When I read that BookBeat were looking for bloggers to work with them and promote their Audiobook service I jumped at the chance. Sometimes, as a mum, it’s hard to find time to read. I try and make time everyday to read a little, sometimes a lot, but if I can’t then I make the most of Audiobooks. I’ve been using BookBeat for a couple of weeks now and I am really impressed with the service.

    A Little About BookBeat

    BookBeat started in Sweden in 2015 and has developed a great range of fiction and non fiction on their online streaming service. You pay a monthly fee to listen to the content which can be listened to through the free App. You can listen through WiFi or download to a device for easier listening. The RRP is currently £14.90 and can be cancelled at any time. BookBeat are also available in Finland and launched here in the UK in March 2017.

    BookBeat Audiobook Review

    Our Family First Impressions

    We have all really enjoyed listening to the content available, there are so many Audiobooks to choose from which is fantastic. We’ve loved listening to some of our favourites like Game of Thrones and I was so happy and suprised to find Kafka on the Shore there too. In the evenings I’ve settled Evie down with a story from the Children’s section. She’s really loved listening to the Beatrix Potter collection and Five Children and It. We can’t wait to listen to more.

    BookBeat is going to be of great use to us over the coming months. I love listening to a story whilst I’m laying in bed and drifting off. I’ve also found myself listening on the way up to school as it’s quite a long walk. I can’t wait to find some fantastic titles to listen to whilst we’re on holiday in July. There is always time to listen to all the lovely audiobooks that BookBeat have to offer. I’ll listen any time of day, whilst working or relaxing. I’m really happy with the amount of audiobooks available on BookBeat and I love that you’re not restricted and can listen to as many titles as you want whilst your subscription continues.

    BookBeat are very generously offering my readers a one month free trial to their service so you can test it out for yourself! What are you waiting for?

    Do you like listening to audiobooks? Do you have a favourite?

    Disclaimer: I have received a years subscription to BookBeat in exchange for this feature. All opinions remain my own.

  • Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon – Book Review

    Do you ever see a trailer for a film that’s coming out and then you realise it’s for a book? Then you just have to read the book. And then as you carry on reading the book you just can’t put it down and you have to carry on reading it until it’s finished? Yesterday I treated myself to Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon as I saw a trailer for it on Facebook. I finished it in a few hours because I just had to find out what would happen. It was a fantastic read and I really, really loved it. I love a good book and Everything, Everything is right up there on my favourites list for this year. I’ve read and loved a lot of books over the last few years, and I’m so glad I still have the time to read and find new books. If you don’t fancy reading this one, why not see if it’s available on Audible?

    Everything, Everything is a fast paced book full of fun diagrams, short chapters and so much love and emotion. It follows the story of Madeline, a young women who hasn’t stepped outside her home in eighteen years. She lives with her mother and her only company is her online tutors and amazing nurse, Carla. It’s a coming of age novel unlike any I have ever read before. Madeline deals with her illness the best way she can and lives life the only way she knows how, that is until she see’s the new neighbours and finally, for the first time, she finds a friend.

    I purchased the Kindle edition of the book and could not stop flicking through the pages eager to find out what would happen next. Yoon’s writing is infectious, bubbly and so full of raw emotion, everything you would expect in a character such as Maddy. It is spirited, funny, sad and gripping. You can not help falling in love with Olly just as Maddy does. My only criticism is that the book was over too soon! I really thought a story like this could only go one way, and I don’t want to spoil it for anyone but Everything, Everything is just not your typical story. It has an amazing twist that I really didn’t expect until a few pages before the big reveal.

    Everything, Everything would be the perfect holiday read this Easter and if you love quick, emotional, gritty, funny and lovely stories then I recommend this with all my heart. I’m so glad I found out about this book, and I hope the next person to read it enjoys it just as much as I have.

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